Chabahar to be India's port of choice in Iran for trade with Central Asia and Afghanistan

India is pushing ahead to make Chabahar, located in the strategic southeastern corner of Iran, its main port of call in a bid to pivot away from Bandar Abbas near the Strait of Hormuz choke point, said Ports, Shipping and Waterways Secretary TK Ramachandran.

- BY S VENKAT NARAYAN

The recent tension in West Asia, marked by the Iran-Israel conflict and US bombings has prompted India to fast-track its plan to develop rail and road infrastructure at Chabahar port. This will turn it into the preferred port of call for the movement of all Indian goods destined for Central Asian countries and Afghanistan, and reduce dependence on Bandar Abbas.

Chabahar not only provides India with an alternative access point to Central Asia and Afghanistan, it also bypasses both Pakistan and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This offers India greater regional connectivity and trade options, reducing its reliance on Pakistan and potentially strengthening its geopolitical influence in the region.

"Work on improving and expanding facilities at Chabahar Port is ongoing and the port has also been consistently getting increased container and cargo at its terminal. Very soon, the port will get connected to main rail and road networks in Iran allowing it to become the prime port for movement of shipments from India to Iran, Afghanistan and other Central Asian Republics," Ramachandran told Mint, a business daily.

India and Iran are fast-tracking a new rail route connecting Chabahar to Zahedan, aiming to integrate the port with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) by 2026-2027.

After years of delays due to Western sanctions, a long-term agreement for Chabahar's development was signed in May 2024, with India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) operating terminals.